Methylation of mono- and dicarboxylic acids with dimethyl carbonate catalyzed with binder-free zeolite NaY

Synthesis of methyl mono- and dicarboxylates was developed consisting in treating the corresponding acids with dimethyl carbonate in the presence of a heterogenic catalyst, crystalline aluminosilicate whose mechanically strong granules to 90–95% were built of crystal aggregates of zeolite Y with modulus of about 5.0 in the Na-form. Optimum catalyst and reagents ratio and the reaction conditions were found for the preparation in high yields of methyl esters of mono- and dicarboxylic acids.